Leominster councilors tighten soliciting laws

LEOMINSTER -- Some people won't take no for an answer when they get their foot in the door, and that's becoming a problem, said at-large City Councilor James J. Lanciani Jr.

The council took action Monday to control hawkers, peddlers and solicitors, putting oversight under the jurisdiction of the Police Department.

Under the revised ordinance, the price of a license increases from $50 to $100, City Clerk Lynn Bouchard said.

Under advice of the city's lawyers, Kopelman and Paige's office, the penalty for not getting a license will remain $300, said Ward 1 Councilor David Rowlands, chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee.

"Personally, I think this is a good thing," Rowlands said. "I consistently get concerns when people see strangers in the neighborhood."

Solicitors visited the French Hill section of the city about six weeks ago asking to see residents' electric bills so they could sell them a cheaper alternative, Lanciani said. One of his neighbors had trouble getting a solicitor to leave when he said no, he said.

In other business, councilors said they want the city to fill the job of animal-control officer as soon as possible.

"I have been hearing complaints it's a big void in the city right now," Rowlands said.

There was an instance of feral cats near Fallbrook Condominiums recently that could not be removed because the position wasn't filled, Ward 3 David Cormier said.

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"There certainly is a concern out there without having this position filled," Cormier said. "There definitely has to be a sense of urgency because there are concerns out there without having somebody to call."

Purchasing Agent Gregory Chapdelaine filed a three-page letter explaining the hiring process at the request of council President Susan Chalifoux Zephir.

The last contract, worth $98,400, expired June 30, and few people have shown an interest in the job. That may be because there are new regulations that took effect last fall and require new duties and certifications, Chapdelaine said.

The job must be put out to bid because the animal-control officer is hired as a contractor, Chapdelaine said.

Steve Richard, the former officer, declined to renew his contract when it expired June 30, and nobody else responded to a bid request.

Kennel owner Barbara Drury took on the duties temporarily last summer but had to drop the job when it interfered too much with her own business, Chapdelaine said.

Daniel LeBlanc then agreed to serve as a temporary animal-control officer while the city requested a second round of bids. Like Drury, LeBlanc had to give up the job but continued to serve voluntarily after his formal relationship with the city ended.

A third kennel owner declined a temporary contract with the city but voluntarily offers services to the city to house dogs, Chapdelaine said.

"Currently, the Leominster Police Department is covering, as best they can, all dog-related problems," Chapdelaine said in his letter to the council.

Chapdelaine is planning to put out another request for bids this spring with the hope of hiring somebody to start with the new fiscal year July 1.

"A few people with prior experience working with animals have expressed interest, but we will not know their full intent until the bid comes out and they actually submit a bid," Chapdelaine said.

He is building bid requirements based on the law put in place last fall.

"This has been a difficult situation, hampered by the fact that there are not many individuals experienced or trained in animal-control work," Chapdelaine said in his letter.

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